Women in Business Spotlight: Vision Partying

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

Vision boarding is often used as a way for people to visualize their hopes and dreams, or even to work through issues they are currently having that are causing excessive stress or anxiety. Cathy Gruss, the woman behind Vision Partying, decided to make this activity a way of life while also striving to serve the nation’s broken people and communities.

The idea for this unique business came to Gruss suddenly while she was working one day in her role as a Programmer Analyst, a position she has held since 1981. She developed the idea for weeks afterward, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to record more ideas.

“I am a great sleeper, but God would only give me sleep for an hour at a time as He awoke me to write down more and more on the biz and its future,” Gruss said.

Now, Gruss uses her business as a way to help others find love and value within themselves by developing a proactive plan and a sense of direction through vision boarding. She strives to break the mold of people’s lives revolving around habits, routine obligations, and reactionary results.

“My favorite part is the people I get to connect with through our vision boarding parties,” Gruss said. “It’s priceless seeing the spark in their eyes, the bright wide smiles on their faces, and hearing all about their dreams.”

During the vision boarding parties, Gruss has her clients start by setting an intention and looking through magazines with the purpose of cutting out words that they’re drawn to. These parties are hosted in her own space as well as at people’s houses and events for pop-up parties.

“You’ll be surprised where you thought your vision board was headed in the beginning and where you end up taking it,” Gruss said. “It kinda manifests itself.”

Gruss says one of the challenges of being a business owner, especially as a woman, is working against generational belief systems that have built up over time that are no longer serving our communities.

“The biggest challenge as a female business owner is overcoming damaging belief systems and helping people see beyond thoughts of race and gender,” Gruss said. “A limited box mindset confines and stagnates all of us.”

In addition to her business, Gruss still works as a Programmer Analyst and is also a wife and mother to four children. She says her family is one of her biggest motivations, and watching her children grow into adults has allowed her to develop her vision and business over the years as she realized the benefits of vision boarding for children and teenagers.

“I have immense joy and hope knowing our children will have the opportunity to have an activity to improve their future and not destroy it,” Gruss said.

Gruss says her biggest career accomplishment thus far has been bringing Vision Partying to life for all to enjoy, and she is grateful to have had the opportunity to do so while earning extra income for her family and having a flexible work schedule. In the future, she would like to franchise her business to make it available in as many places as possible.

For other women out there looking to start up a business of their own, Gruss recommends focusing on the most important aspects first and surrounding yourself with a master team that consists of people with varying talents and expertise.

Vision Partying is part of the first ever Women Who Rock Women-Owned Market at The Strip District Terminal.